Hydrangea plant named &#39;BC7.8&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BC7.8’ originated as a controlled cross between U.S. Pat. No. 18,592, named ‘True Blue’ and the commercial variety ‘LK49’. The cultivar ‘BC7.8’ can be blue or red depending on the acidity of the soil and the presence of aluminum. The variety ‘BC7.8’ has relatively large, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, distinct sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics. When grown without aluminum and under soil conditions to create pink flowers, the upper sides of the sepals are R.H.S. 70 C (red-purple group) and the under sides of the sepals are R.H.S. 65 C (red-purple group).

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC7.8’

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘BC7.8’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Saxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC7.8’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘True Blue’—U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,593 which was the seed parent, and the unpatented variety known as ‘LK49’ which was the pollen parent. ‘LK49’ is relatively compact plant with wiry stems, relatively small leaves, relatively small sepalous florets, and inflorescences that are resistant to being damaged by conditions in commercial coolers.

The variety ‘BC7.8’ has relatively large inflorescences, relatively large sepalous florets, uniform sepal pigmentation at maturity and good commercial characteristics. The variety ‘BC7.8’ has pigmented sepals, and can be grown in soil conditions treated with aluminum to produce blue pigmentation, which is not described here. The color of the sepals changes as the plant ages. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties.

TABLE 1 Commercial variety “Venedig’ which may be U.S. Plant Pat. U.S. Plant Commercial No. 10,928 Pat. No. variety New Variety ‘Venice 18,593 known as ‘BC7.8’ Raven’ ‘True Blue’ ‘LK49’ Leaf size 11cm × 15 cm 12 cm wide × Medium 15 cm long small Plant 18″ in 15″ in 17″ high in height 6″ pot. 6″ pot. 4″ pot Stem Strong Stems are Strong Wiry strength strong but benefit from being staked Sepal Upper side Upper side of Both sides Medium Pigmen- of sepals is sepals is of sepals are Dark tation R.H.S. R.H.S. 86 A R.H.S. 100 D Pink-ob- 70 C (red- (violet group); (blue group) served con- purple group); Under side at maturity trols grown Under side of sepals is alongside of sepals is R.H.S. 88 D new variety. R.H.S. (violet group) 65 C (red- purple group) Sepalous 70 mm 50 mm to 50 mm to Medium Floret Size 80 mm 60 mm Small- observed con- trols grown alongside new variety

The new cultivar ‘BC7.8’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BC7.8’ remains firmly fixed through three generations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the inflorescence.

FIG. 4 is a close-up top view of the upperside of a mature sepalous flower of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a close-up side view of a mature sepalous flower of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

FIG. 7 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 8 is a close-up view of the inside of the inflorescence.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plant shown in the figures is approximately a year old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant.

‘BC7.8’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

-   The plant:     -   -   Origin.—Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a             seedling from a controlled cross between Hydrangea             macrophylla (Thunb.) True Blue — U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,593             which was the seed parent, and the commercial variety known             as ‘LK49’ which was the pollen parent.         -   Form.—Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature             inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 18″             high and has a diameter of 18″,when grown in a 6″ pot with             appropriate soil amendments.         -   Growth.—Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is             large. The plant branches easily with shoots forming at the             base of the plant. Lateral branches are similar in             appearance and form to the main stems.         -   Stems.—Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A             (violet group) and are 1 to 2 mm long. The surface of young             stems is glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color             of typical young stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S.             144 A (green group). The older portions of the stems are             R.H.S. 199 B (grey-brown group). Younger portions of the             stems are 8 mm in diameter. Older portions of the stems are             8 mm in diameter.         -   Foliage.—Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral             branches. Shape of leaf. — Elliptic with acute base and             apex. Margins are serrate. Texture. — Glabrous; veins             dominate on the underside of the leaf and are sunken on the             upper leaf surface. Color. — Mature leaves have an upper             side that is R.H.S. 147 A (yellow-green group), and an under             side that is R.H.S. 138 B (green group). Leaves are             pinnately veined. The midvein and veins branching off the             midvein are large and prominent on the underside of the             leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 138 B (yellow-green group). Leaves             are as wide as 11 cm and 15 cm long. Petioles are smooth and             approximately 2.0-3.0 cm long and 4 mm wide. Petioles are             R.H.S. 138 B (yellow-green group). -   Buds:     -   -   Form.—Globose with 4 to 5 connate petals. Most buds, whether             they will mature into sepalous or non-sepalous florets, have             4 petals. Buds in the center of the inflorescence are             non-sepalous. The majority of buds will develop into             sepalous florets. They are approximately 1 mm by 1 mm when             very young. Buds can be 4 mm in diameter and still unopened.             Color of mature buds is R.H.S. 78 B (red-purple group).         -   Aspect.—Smooth.         -   Arrangement.—Borne on branched panicles. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Form.—Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 individual             flowers (florets) per inflorescence. Both sepalous florets             and non-sepalous florets borne on the same panicle. Flowers             do not produce a fragrance. The peduncle for the             inflorescence is strong and upright. Very few non-sepalous             florets developing except for the first on individual cymes             with the subsequent three or four florets on that cyme being             sepalous. Florets, both sepalous and non-sepalous, have             anthers and style. Inflorescences are long-lasting, up to             six weeks.         -   Size of inflorescence.—Large and globose. Individual             inflorescence size is dependent on the .number of florets. A             typical inflorescence can grow as large as 9″ in diameter,             and 5″ high.         -   Shape.—Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets             are flat and overlap one another. Sepals are persistent.         -   Appearance.—Showy. -   Florets:     -   -   General.—The non-sepalous florets at the center of the             inflorescence open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets             are perfect and complete. Corolla: Generally, for both             sepalous and non-sepalous florets there are 5 petals which             fall off as flower matures. Petals are typically 4 mm long             and 3 mm wide. Petals are R.H.S. 78 B (red-purple group).             Lenticels are present on pedicels, lenticels are not even 1             mm long and thin in diameter. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B             (red-purple group). Pedicel length for non-sepalous florets             averages 4 mm. Pedicel length of sepalous florets is             approximately 30 to 40 mm in length for plants of this age.             Pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets continue             to elongate as the inflorescence ages. Pedicels are R.H.S.             64 C (red-purple group) when mature.         -   Stamens.—8 to 10 stamens. Pollen is R.H.S. 155 C             (yellow-white group). Plant produces abundant pollen.             Filament is approximately 3 to 4 mm long. Filament is R.H.S.             77 B (purple group). Anther is 1 mm long and is regular and             basally attached.         -   Stigma.—Two to three style each, although most florets have             two style. Each style has one stigma. Style is typically 2             mm long. Style is R.H.S. 77 B (violet group). Stigma is             R.H.S. 65 C (red-purple group).         -   Ovary.—Ovary is partially inferior.         -   Sepalous florets.—General. — Veins dominate on the underside             of the sepals. Number of sepals. — 4 or 5 sepals per floret,             usually 4. Aspect of sepals. — Smooth and glaucescent. Shape             of sepals. — Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges often wavy             when the floret is young. Size of sepals. — As the florets             mature, the sepals enlarge and overlap each other more and             more, until, often, there is no space between the sepals             when the petals of the florets open. Sepals at maturity             typically range from 4 cm long and 4 cm wide to 5.5 cm wide             and 5 cm long. Flowers are typically 5 to 8 cm in diameter.             The uppersides of the sepals are R.H.S. 70 C (red-purple             group) and the undersides are R.H.S. 65 C (red-purple             group). Pigmentation develops at the tips of the sepals and             travels inward towards base of the sepals.         -   Fruit.—none.         -   Disease and pest resistance.—unknown. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BC7.8’ substantially as herein shown and described. 